A Chat in the Garden with Monique AJ Smith

Tayllor Washington has a passion for education and sport, helping students in and out of the classroom and helping athletes on and off the field. As an Education Assistant with 49ers EDU, Tayllor assists with the planning, coordination, and execution of the 49ers EDU Home and Away program. She also has launched two brand new programs under the 49ers Foundation: Tackling Literacy and Next Up: Girls...

This episode is a replay from Season 9. Danielle Wright, Chief Strategist/Founder of Wright Relations, joins Monique A. J. Smith for A Chat in the Garden. Join us on A Chat in the Garden with Monique A. J. Smith. Listen to our guest’s career path, her advice for others & current initiatives...A Chat in the Garden with Monique A.J. Smith, where Significance Blooms. Listen via Spreaker, Spotify,...

This episode is a replay from Season 7. Leah Brundidge, Former Asst. AD for Compliance at Southern Miss, joined Monique A. J. Smith for A Chat in the Garden. Join us on A Chat in the Garden with Monique A. J. Smith. Listen to our guest’s career path, her advice for others & current initiatives...A Chat in the Garden with Monique A.J. Smith, where Significance Blooms. Listen via Spreaker, Spoti...

Jill Anwaar is an event & hospitality strategist and certified meeting professional. With more than 20 years of experience in event management, hospitality, and business development, she brings both expertise and energy to every experience she curates. Renowned for her ability to deliver smooth, high-impact events, Jill has built a reputation for exceeding expectations and elevating every deta...

This episode is a replay from Season 5. Jasmine Quinn, Director of Championships for the SWAC, joins Monique A.J. Smith for A Chat in the Garden. Join us on A Chat in the Garden with Monique A. J. Smith. Listen to our guest’s career path, her advice for others & current initiatives...A Chat in the Garden with Monique A.J. Smith, where Significance Blooms. Listen via Spreaker, Spotify, iHeart R...

This episode is a replay from Season 10. Neena Speer, AI Educator & Creative Strategist, joins Monique A.J. Smith for A Chat in the Garden. Join us on A Chat in the Garden with Monique A. J. Smith. Listen to our guest’s career path, her advice for others & current initiatives...A Chat in the Garden with Monique A.J. Smith, where Significance Blooms. Listen via Spreaker, Spotify, iHeart Rad...

This episode is a replay from Season 2. Etienne Thomas, Athletics Director at Winston-Salem State University, joins Monique A. J. Smith for A Chat in the Garden. Join us on A Chat in the Garden with Monique A. J. Smith. Listen to our guest’s career path, her advice for others & current initiatives...A Chat in the Garden with Monique A.J. Smith, where Significance Blooms. Listen via Spreaker, S...

Miranda Giddens serves as the Associate Director of Academics at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, where she supports the Football and Gymnastics programs. Prior to joining Arkansas, she was an Academic Advisor at the University of South Carolina, working with the Women’s Basketball and Women’s Track and Field teams. She also held academic support roles at The University of Alabama, suppor...

Dr. Raylene Ross is in her fourth season as the Director of Sport Leadership and Mental Performance at the University of South Carolina. Her unwavering dedication is evident in her commitment to helping student-athletes and coaches optimize performance, manage mental stress, and navigate the unique pressures of competitive environments. Dr. Ross's collaborative and integrative approach to performa...

With over 25 years of experience, Ann Seeney is on a mission to transform people and organizations into equitable leaders and environments. Ann has led the charge as an agent of change to promote integrity in an inclusive and distinct culture. Ultimately, her aim is to transform organizations through truth-seeking and critical conversations and progress culture and DEI by centering efforts around...

This episode is a replay from Season 9 that originally aired on August 3, 2022. Courtney Pruitt, Director of Athletics at Kilgore College, joined Monique A. J. Smith for A Chat in the Garden. Join us on A Chat in the Garden with Monique A. J. Smith. Listen to our guest’s career path, her advice for others & current initiatives...A Chat in the Garden with Monique A.J. Smith, where Significance...

Erin is currently serving as the Senior Client Relations Manager at Athletic Training Solutions. In this role, she provides industrial athletic training services while developing other leaders within the organization. She has been fortunate enough to oversee the organization and administration of various wellness initiatives on many different construction sites, supporting the mental and physical...

Dr. Alaina S. Davis is an Associate Professor and Department Chair in the Department of Communication Sciences. She is a licensed Medical Speech-Language Pathologist with over 15 years of clinical experience and a Certified Brain Injury Specialist Trainer with the Academy of Certified Brain Injury Specialists. Dr. Davis has expertise in neurologically based communication disorders, specifically co...

This episode is a replay from Season 1 (October 2014). Dr. Sharon Beverly, 2025 NACDA Hall of Fame Recipient, joins A Chat in the Garden with Monique A. J. Smith. Join us on A Chat in the Garden with Monique A. J. Smith. Listen to our guest’s career path, her advice for others & current initiatives...A Chat in the Garden with Monique A.J. Smith, where Significance Blooms. Listen via Spreaker,...

Natasha is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Psychotherapist, and Certified Sports Social Worker. As the founder of Learning Alternative Ways to Channel Euphoria, LLC (L.A.C.E.), she has established a boutique private practice that integrates mental health therapy with creative expression and athletic performance optimization. Coined "The Game Changing Therapist," Natasha specializes in...

Lisa Daniels, Ph. D., CMPC is a Sports Psychotherapist and Certified Mental Performance Consultant® at Howard University. She was most recently featured on ESPN First Take during the HBCU Spotlight for her impactful performance interventions implemented at Howard University. Dr. Daniels provides counseling services and performance interventions to athletes and students at Howard University.  Dr. D...

Matisse Lee is a long-standing member of the Claflin University family. She is in her third year as the Senior Associate Athletics Director /SWA and has been with the Claflin University athletics department for over sixteen years.  For over five years, she served as the Assistant Athletics Director for Internal Operations/Student-Athlete Affairs and as the advisor for the Student-Athlete Advisory...

Shannon Allen was named the Associate Athletics Director of Compliance in August 2023. She returns to her alma mater after serving as the head volleyball coach and Senior Woman Administrator at Alverno College in Milwaukee, WI. While there she oversaw the volleyball program. In addition, as a part of the administrative staff she was in charge of department fundraising that included a partnership w...

Kearsten Peoples is a dedicated professional in academic advising and student-athlete development, focused on helping athletes excel academically, athletically, and personally. With a strong foundation in academics and a deep passion for student-athlete success, Kearsten has built a career supporting athletes in balancing their academic responsibilities with the demands of competitive sports. She...

This episode is a replay from Season 9 (June 28, 2023). Crystal Massenburg, Director of Athletics at Garner High School, joined Monique A. J. Smith for A Chat in the Garden.  Join us on A Chat in the Garden with Monique A. J. Smith. Listen to our guest’s career path, her advice for others & current initiatives...A Chat in the Garden with Monique A.J. Smith, where Significance Blooms. Listen vi...

Tiffeany Roderick has over 20 years of experience in the corporate sector, specializing in Account Management, Project Analytics, Training, and Client Relationship Management. In 2021, she established 1st & Ten, motivated by her interest in football and her father's background as a multi-sport coach. The company aims to educate women about football through online and in-person experiences for...

Carla has been a part of the Chicago Bears Football Club since 2018, joining the team in a full time role in 2020. As the inaugural full time team clinician, she has built the mental wellness program to support players, coaches and support staff through individual/group therapy, rookie programming and organization wide psychoeducation. Prior to joining the Bears, she served as a mental health clin...

With an always activated will to win, Natasha Camy is a powerhouse playmaker, breaking barriers, making history, and creating a legacy. As a veteran NCAA Women’s Division I basketball official, entrepreneur and public speaker, Camy’s goals and aspirations transcend beyond average. Born into humble beginnings in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Camy’s maturation throughout her career has taken her acros...

This episode is a replay from July 2015 (Season 1). Tina Sloan Green, 2025 NCAA Theodore Roosevelt Award Recipient, joins Monique A. J. Smith for A Chat in the Garden. Join us on A Chat in the Garden with Monique A. J. Smith. Listen to our guest’s career path, her advice for others & current initiatives...A Chat in the Garden with Monique A.J. Smith, where Significance Blooms. Listen via Sprea...

A native of Jamaica, Inez's journey began at Barton Community College, where she earned an impressive 16 National Junior College All-America honors and set multiple school records. She also won the 1993 Division I NJCAA Championship in the 800m. She continued her success at Texas State University, earning a B.S. in Exercise and Sports Science. There, she won back-to-back NCAA championships in the...